100 Mountains of Japan
100 Mountains of Japan is a book written in 1964 by Fukada Kyuya that presents a list of his favourite mountains based on historical lists and mountain literature. The criteria he used in choosing his list was a mountain’s grace, historical importance, and individuality. All but two of the mountains are also above 1,500m. In 2014, the University of Hawaii published a high-quality English translation.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito enjoys mountains and is said to have wanted to climb to the summit of every mountain on Fukada’s list. This made the list popular and people set the same goal of climbing to the top of each of the 100 mountains, much like Munro bagging in Scotland, the 4,000m peaks in the Alps, and the 14ers of Colorado.
Nine of Fukada’s 100 mountains are in Hokkaido.
Asahidake (2291m), Tokachidake (2077m), and Tomuraushi (2141m) are all located in central Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan’s largest national park. Asahidake is Hokkaido’s tallest mountain.
Meakandake (1499m), in the Akan National Park, together with Sharidake (1547m), and Rausudake (1661m), both part of the Shiretoko Mountain range, are in Eastern Hokkaido.
Yoteizan (1898m) in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, towers over Niseko and the surrounding Shiribeshi area.
Rishirizan (1721m) rises out of the Sea of Japan off the coast of Northwest Hokkaido and forms Rishiri Island.
Poroshiridake (2053m) is located deep in the Hidaka Mountains of Southern Hokkaido and considered the most difficult mountain of the 100 to summit.
We offer one day excursions and multi-day trips to climb all nine of Hokkaido’s 100 Mountains of Japan.
Yoteizan
A 50-60,000 year old conical stratovolcano, sometimes referred to as “Ezo Fuji,” whose last eruptions were around 2,500 years ago.
One Day Excursion
A typical schedule for a one day climb:
0430: Pick up guests from their accommodation / Niseko Mountain Guides Lodge
0530: Start hiking
1200: Summit
1700: Return to trailhead and drop off at accommodation in Niseko area
¥40,000 for one guest, ¥60,000 for two guests, ¥75,000 for three guests, and ¥80,000 for four guests. All prices are subject to 10% consumption tax.
Two Day Overnight Hut Stay
Hike up to stay at the Yoteizan Hut for the night with the opportunity to watch the sunrise from the crater rim. A typical schedule for a two day overnight climb:
0700: Pick up guests from their accommodation / Niseko Mountain Guide Lodge
0800: Start hiking
1400: Arrive at the Yoteizan Hut, drop off overnight gear and hike to summit
1800: Dinner
0300: Optional early morning hike to watch sunrise from crater rim above hut
0600: Breakfast
0800: Start descent
1300: Return to trailhead and drop off at accommodation in Niseko area
¥80,000 for one guest, ¥120,000 for two guests, ¥150,000 for three guests, and ¥160,000 for four guests. Includes dinner and breakfast. Backpack and sleeping bag/pad available for rent. All prices are subject to 10% consumption tax.
Asahidake
An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1739. Current seismic activity is seen as steam rising out of the fumaroles at the base of the mountain near Sugatami Pond.
One Day Excursion
0400: Pick up guests from their accommodation / Niseko Mountain Guides Lodge
0900: Arrive Asahidake Ropeway
1000: Board gondola for Sugatami Station (1600m)
1030: Start hike to summit
1300: Summit
1600: Board gondola to descend to bottom station
2200: Return to accommodation
¥70,000 for one guest, ¥90,000 for two guests, ¥120,000 for three guests, and ¥140,000 for four guests. All prices are subject to 10% consumption tax.
3 Summits 4 Days Tour
Asahidake (2291m), Tokachidake (2077m), Tomuraushi (2141m)
Day 1
0835: Pick up guests from Asahikawa airport (also possible from Sapporo or Niseko accommodations)
1020: Board gondola for Sugatami Station (1600m) at Asahidake Ropeway
1300: Summit Asahidake
1600: Board gondola to descend to bottom station at Asahidake Ropeway
1800: Arrive lodging in Tokachidake Onsen area
Day 2
0500: Start climb Tokachidake
0900: Summit Tokachidake
1200: Return to trailhead
1600: Arrive Tomuraushi Onsen
1800: Dinner
Day 3
0400: Start climb Tomuraushi
1100: Summit Tomuraushi
1600: Return to Tomuraushi Onsen
1800: Dinner
Day 4
Return to Asahikawa airport. (or Sapporo / Niseko accommodations)
¥381,900 for one guest, ¥212,550/person for two guests, ¥156,100/person for three guests, and ¥127,875/person for four guests. Includes ground transportation, lodging, dinner for three nights and breakfast at Tomuraushi Onsen on Day 3 and 4. All prices are subject to 10% consumption tax.
9 Summits 13 Days
Looking for three to four adventurers with lots of stamina, motivation, and most importantly, willingness to build and be part of a team as we go after all nine of Hokkaido’s 100 Mountains of Japan. The schedule is fluid and will be determined by the weather windows available. Will we make it to the top of all nine? That is not guaranteed but the plan is to build a team that is more than the sum of the individuals, sharing our knowledge and experience to give us more of a chance to make the most of the weather opportunities we are given. Totally looking forward to navigating the summits and challenges this program will deliver!
Dates: 25 July to 6 August, 2023
¥519,713/ person for three guests, ¥422,465/person for four guests. Includes ground transportation, fees and lodging. Does not include food and drinks. All prices are subject to 10% consumption tax.